Aronia Plant Named &#39;UCONNAM165&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Aronia  cultivar named ‘UCONNAM165’ is disclosed, characterized by a compact, dense plants maturing to approximately 2 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. Foliage is uniquely small and very shiny, emerging with a red tinge, green throughout the Spring and Summer, turning red and orange in the Fall. Plants are very useful for landscape, with a short, controlled growth and tolerating a wide range of soil conditions. Profuse flowering. The new variety is a  Aronia , normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Aronia melanocarpa.

Variety denomination: ‘UCONNAM165’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Aronia cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Mark Henry Brand in Storrs, Conn. The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Aronia varieties that are low growing, compact plants with substantial bloom, high quality summer foliage and colorful fall foliage as well as novel growth forms of Aronia. The cross resulting in this new variety was made during May of 2006.

The seed parent is the, unpatented, commercial variety referred to as Aronia melanocarpa ‘UC012’. The pollen parent is the unpatented, commercial variety referred to as Aronia melanocarpa ‘UC017’. The new variety was discovered in May of 2011 by the inventor in a group of seedlings resulting from the 2006 crossing, in a greenhouse in Storrs, Conn.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘UCONNAM165’ first by tissue culture was first performed during the June of 2011, at a laboratory in Storrs Conn. Subsequent propagation by softwood cuttings has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in 4 successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘UCONNAM165’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘UCONNAM165’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘UCONNAM165’ as a new and distinct Aronia cultivar:

1. Very dense, compact plants that mature to 2′ tall by 3-4′ wide. Shoots are upright 2. Leaves emerge red tinged, then mature to shiny dark green. Leaves are smaller than typical for Aronia. 3. Fall foliage color is red with orange mixed in. 4. Profuse clusters of small white flowers in early May (Connecticut). Small black berries in August. 5. Can grow in full sun or partial shade and is tolerant of challenging landscape situations including dry soils, once established. 6. Dense, compact form is useful in smaller landscapes and where large shrubs are unwanted. 7. Multi-season interest from spring flowers, excellent glossy summer foliage, summer fruits and red-orange fall foliage color. 8. Excellent for durable mass plantings or low hedges. 9. Very shiny foliage.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘UCONNAM165’ are similar to plants of the seed parent, Aronia melanocarpa ‘UC012’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘UCONNAM165’ differ in the following;

1. Mature size of 2 feet tall by 3 to 4 feet wide, whereas the seed parent is 1 to 2 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. 2. Very dense, compact, upright habit, whereas the seed parent is prostrate, with a highly rhizomatous growth habit. 3. Very dense flowering, whereas the seed parent is moderately dense flowering. 4. Very shiny foliage, dark green, whereas the seed parent has moderately shiny foliage.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘UCONNAM165’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent, Aronia melanocarpa ‘UC017’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘UCONNAM165’ differ in the following;

1. Mature size of 2 feet tall by 3 to 4 feet wide, whereas the pollen parent is 6 to 8 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. 2. Very dense, compact, upright habit, whereas the pollen parent is of somewhat loose, open spreading form. 3. Very dense flowering, whereas the pollen parent is moderately dense flowering.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘UCONNAM165’ can be compared to the unpatented commercial variety Aronia ‘Morton’ (aka ‘Iroquois Beauty’). These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, ‘UCONNAM165’ differs in the following:

1. Mature size of 2 feet tall by 3 to 4 feet wide: very dense habit, whereas the comparator is 5 to 6 feet tall and 5 to 7 feet wide; moderately dense habit. 2. Red-orange fall foliage color, whereas the comparator has an orange-yellow fall foliage color. 3. Profuse amounts of white flower clusters, whereas the comparator has moderate amounts of white flower clusters. 4. Foliage is extremely shiny, whereas the comparator has foliage that is not shiny.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘UCONNAM165’ can also be compared to. the unpatented commercial variety Aronia ‘Autumn Magic’. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, ‘UCONNAM165’ differs in the following:

1. Mature size of 2 feet tall by 3 to 4 feet wide: very dense habit, whereas the comparator is 5 to 6 feet tall and 5 to 7 feet wide; moderately dense habit. 2. Red-orange fall foliage color, whereas the comparator has an orange-yellow fall foliage color. 3. Profuse amounts of white flower clusters, whereas the comparator has moderate amounts of white flower clusters. 4. Foliage is extremely shiny, whereas the comparator has foliage that is not shiny.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘UCONNAM165’ shown in a 3 gallon commercial container overwintered in an unheated hoop house, in Mansfield, Conn.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up of typical inflorescence and foliage of ‘UCONNAM165’.

Age of the plant photographed is approximately 6 years.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 1996 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘UCONNAM165’ plants grown in poly house in Grand Haven, Mich., under natural lighting. Measurements were taken during April of 2015. The plants were 2-3 years old in 3 gallon containers. The growing temperature ranged from 5° C. to 27° C. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Aronia melanocarpa ‘UCONNAM165’. -   Propagation:     -   -   Time to initiate roots.—About 3 weeks at approximately 24°             C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant.—About 8 weeks at 24°             C. -   Plant:     -   -   Plant type.—Perennial shrub.         -   Age of plant described.—Approximately 2 to 3 years old.         -   Growth habit.—Low rounded/spreading.         -   Pot size of plant described.—3 gallon pot.         -   Appropriate containers sizes.—1, 2 and 3 gallon commercial             containers.         -   Overall plant shape.—Compact spreading globular form.         -   Height.—60-65 cm.         -   Plant spread.—62-70 cm.         -   Growth rate.—Moderate.         -   Plant vigor.—Good.         -   Branching characteristics.—Low branching, some basal             branching.         -   Length of primary lateral branches.—50 cm.         -   Diameter of lateral branches.—5 mm.         -   Quantity of lateral branches.—about 15.         -   Internode length.—About 3 cm.         -   Stem.—Stem Appearance: Round Stem Strength: Moderate Stem             Color: New growth: Near RHS Greyed-Orange 176B 1-year-old             growth: Near RHS Yellow-Green 152B Old Growth: Near RHS             Greyed-Green 197A Pubescence: Present on new growth. Angle             of attachment: About 45° angle of attachment.         -   Other plant characteristics.—Lenticels: 1 mm Near RHS             Greyed-Orange 177B.         -   Roots.—Moderate density moderate branching. Medium             thickness, fibrous and white in color, not accurately             measured with R.H.S. Chart. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Alternate, single Leaf shape: Young:             Elliptic Mature: Obovate Average Length: 4 cm Average Width:             2.5 cm Apex: Acute Base: Cuneate Margin: Crenate Texture of             top surface: Rugose/bullate (smooth/waxy) Texture of bottom             surface: Slightly rough/waxy Leaf side with pubescence:             Slightly on under side Color: Young foliage upper side: Near             RHS Yellow-Green 143A, tinged Red 42B. Young foliage under             side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146C, tinged Red 42B Mature             foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 139A Mature foliage under             side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 148B Venation: Pattern: Pinnate             Color upper side: Midrib: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A Lateral             Veins: Near RHS Green 13(A Color under side: Midrib: Near             RHS Yellow-Green 145A Lateral Veins: Near RHS Yellow-Green             148B Petiole: Average Length: 3 mm Diameter: 1 mm Petiole             color upper side: Near RHS Yellow-green 145A Petiole color             lower side: Near RHS Yellow-green 145A Petiole Texture upper             side: Smooth/waxy Petiole Texture lower side: Smooth/waxy. -   Flower:     -   -   Natural flowering season.—Spring.         -   Flower arrangement.—Corymb.         -   Inflorescence type and habit.—Rotate, unguiculate.         -   Inflorescence height.—2-3 cm.         -   Inflorescence width.—2-3 cm.         -   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.—3-15.         -   Quantity of flowers per lateral stem.—25-40.         -   Quantity of flowers per plant.—45-60.         -   Flower longevity on plant.—1-2 weeks.         -   Individual flowers.—Flower form: Rotate. Flower shape:             Radial Flower aspect: Upright Flowering habit: Unguiculate             Size: Diameter: 12 mm Length: 12 mm Depth: 6 mm.         -   Flower other characteristics.—Persistence: Self cleaning.             Fragrance: Very slight.         -   Petal.—Petal arrangement: Whorled Petal appearance:             Unguiculate Number of petals per flower: 5 Petal fused: No             Petal Shape: Circular Petal Base: Cuspidate Margin: Entire             Tip shape: Rounded Length: 5 mm Width: 4 mm Texture: Upper:             Glabrous Lower: Glabrous.         -   Petal color.—When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS White             155B Lower surface: Near RHS White 155B with a blush of             Red-Purple 62C Fully opened: Upper surface: Near RHS White             155B Lower surface: Near RHS White 155B.         -   Bud.—Shape: Spherical Length: 5 mm Diameter: 4 mm Color:             Near RHS White 155B and Greyed-Purple 186B.         -   Calyx.—Shape: Radial Length: 3 mm Diameter: 5.5 mm.         -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Radial Number: 5 Shape: Broad deltate             Base: Truncate Margin: Entire Tip shape: Acute Length: 1 mm             Width: 1 mm Color upper: Near RHS Green 139D Color lower:             Near RHS Green 139C Texture: Upper: Pubescent Lower:             Glabrous.         -   Peduncle.—Length: 7 mm Diameter: 1 mm Color: Near RHS             Yellow-Green 146D Strength: Good Texture: Glabrous. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Number: 18 Filament length: 1 mm Filament color:             Near RHS White 155B.         -   Anthers.—Shape: Dorsifixed Length: 1 mm Color: Near RHS             Red-Purple 59B Pollen Color: Brown Pollen Amount: Scant to             moderat.         -   Pistil.—Number: 4 Length: 3 mm Style: Length: 1 mm Color:             Near RHS Yellow-Green 146D Stigma: Shape: Syncarpous fused             stigma with 3-5 lobes Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146D             Ovary Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146D. -   Other characteristics:     -   -   Disease/pest resistance.—Typical of the species but better             mildew resistance.         -   Temperature tolerance.—The new variety tested to             temperatures between −25° C. to 40° C. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Aronia plant named ‘UCONNAM165’ as herein illustrated and described. 